Improving Data Quality for Title I Standards, Assessments, and Accountability Reporting: Guidelines for States, LEAs, and Schools (Non-Regulatory Guidance)

US Department of Education

Spurred by the "No Child Left Behind Act" of 2001, virtually every educational reform program now includes an accountability component that requires sound data collection and reporting. Improving data quality has thus emerged as a high priority for educators and policymakers across the country. The list of programs for which data quality is relevant is extensive, and the scope of the issues involved is vast. As its title--"Improving Data Quality for Title I Standards, Assessments, and Accountability Reporting"--suggests, this set of guidelines addresses only one discrete slice of the universe of data quality issues: those associated with the annual Report Card required of all States, local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools receiving Title I, Part A funds under Sec. 1111(h) of "No Child Left Behind" ("NCLB"). Recommendations from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) provided the impetus for these guidelines. In September 2004, GAO identified numerous data quality problems in the States related to NCLB accountability and reiterated OIG's call for guidelines. This document, focused on State, LEA, and school Title I Report Cards, tailors its guidance specifically to address the OIG/GAO recommendations. Summary Checklists are appended. [This paper was produced by DTI Associates.]